When Bruce Aldrich, Jr. and Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. clashed in
their12-race ‘Drive-Off’ at Monticello Raceway on Thursday (Dec. 12) there were
no losers even though Aldrich drove six winners and Wrenn drove four. However,
Aldrich out-pointed Wrenn by a score of 114-96 by the European Point
System.
On that cold and clear afternoon Wrenn, number one in North
America in driving victories, came in from Northfield Park just for the
competition to drive the card against Bruce Aldrich, Jr. who is third in
victories. And the winners were the fans who got a chance to see two
masters at their trade.
After he raced Wednesday night Wrenn set out from Northfield
Park in greater Cleveland, Ohio and drove across the country and didn’t arrive
here until early morn on Thursday and the all-night drive with his
racing sulky in tow didn’t seem to be detrimental to the youngster.
“My dad (Ron) drove and I did get some sleep during the
night and when we arrived we took a motel room for a few hours sleep and when
I arrived at the track I felt good,” Ronnie, Jr. said about his first time ever
at the Mighty M.
And evidently he was sharp because right out of the box he
reined pacer Caviart Jett to a 1:58.3 triumph in the first race on the card as
Aldrich missed the board and finished fourth with Nomorebets.
The second race was an anomaly of sorts and the only race
where neither driver’s horses made the (tote) board. However after that one, or
the other, proceeded to win every race until the 12th when Wrenn’s horse,
Delco Tross, was beaten just a nose for win and Aldrich’s mount finished
third.
After two off the board finishes in the daily double races
Aldrich then won the third with Billied (1:59) as Wrenn finished
second. In the fourth race Wrenn was heading to victory and before his
trotter Gomer took command he made a break at the top of the lane which opened
the door for Aldrich’s pace-setter R’lene Jetta to hold on for
victory. Wrenn set Gomer back on stride and came charging but too late and they
had to settle for third place.
Wrenn then won the fifth race and Aldrich copped the sixth
but when Wrenn won the seventh it looked like anyone’s ball game as Aldrich’s
42 points was just one better than Wrenn’s ,41.
And one point separated the talented reinsmen again when
Wrenn won the seventh and Aldrich finished second.
Aldrich then won the eighth and Wrenn finished second but
the one point differential came back in play when Wrenn won the ninth and
Aldrich finished second.
However, after that Aldrich won the tenth and 11th
races which guaranteed him the points trophy.
It was at that point when he stopped in the winner’s circle
for a photo Aldrich was told he can’t be out-pointed and was asked how he
felt? “I feel good now,” he shouted as a broad smile engulfed his face.
My ulcers have even settled down now.”
And even had Wrenn’s pacer survived the photo in the 12th
race he still wouldn’t have enough points to catch Aldrich.
“It was a very entertaining competition and I believe home
track advantage had a little to do with it,” track GM Shawn Wiles said.
“This was our first look at young Ronnie Wrenn and he’s not only a great talent
but is a classy young man. And we certainly thank him for going out of his way
to be with us for the Drive-Off”
“This was the first time I’ve ever been to Monticello and I
thoroughly enjoyed myself. Everyone here was just wonderful,” Wrenn said.
And as they were having their pictures taken in the trophy
presentation Aldrich chimed in; “I was nervous before the day started but after
meeting Ronnie and driving against him I settled down. He’s (Ronnie) a good guy
and a really good driver but I’m sure I had a slight advantage by knowing the
horses and the trainers still it was great to get a chance to drive
against Ronnie, especially in this competition.”
Also to be acknowledged for the success of the day are the
Monticello Raceway horsemen and the judges who allowed each driver to select
his mounts after the post position draw was completed on Monday.
The Thursday (Dec. 12) program consisted of six paces
and six trots and at day’s end Aldrich and Wrenn won 10 of the 12 races
on the card. And that they chose their own mounts before the morning
lines were posted shows that they are also good handicappers, too.
